I am new to “higher-end” PC gaming and I have a couple of questions. How do I tell what graphics card I have? I have thrown the box away and the only thing I can see on the card is “Direct CUII.” The DirectX diagnostic tool, Windows system devices, and AMD Catalyst screens all just say, “AMD Radeon R9 200 series” and not the actual model I have. I don’t know if it’s an R9 270 or a 290. Second, I currently game on a PS3 on a 42-inch HDTV. What PC games can you recommend that will really showcase the fact that the PC has better graphics than the PS3 and PS4?

Note: This article was originally featured in the September 2014 issue of the magazine.

G.Skill Ripjaws 4 memory kit hits 4355MHz

You know that friend of yours that can't help but to go over the speed limit at every opportunity? That's G.Skill, a memory maker that's heavily involved in the overclocking scene, and with DDR4 RAM being relatively new, there's plenty of uncharted memory frequency territory to explore. A month ago, G.Skill set a DDR4 memory record by taking a single 4GB module and pushing it to 4,255MHz. And this month? G.Skill broke its own DDR4 frequency record by hitting 4,355MHz.

Another memory option for Intel X99 platforms

The number of DDR4 memory kits is growing and will continue to do so as more people build (or buy) systems based on Intel's X99 chipset. One of the newest is Crucial's Ballistix Elite line, now available in DDR4 form as a single 4GB module and in 8GB (2x4GB) and 16GB (4x4GB) kits (Crucial says a 32GB kit is also available, though it's not listed on the company's web store yet). As both kits use essentially the same 4GB module, the performance ratings are the same across the board.

Denser memory solution could lead to larger frame buffers

Samsung today announced that its has started mass producing what it claims is the industry's first 8 gigabit (Gb) GDDR5 DRAM, which is being built on the company's 20nm manufacturing process. This is the same type of memory that's found on scores of graphics cards for PCs, along with onboard graphics solutions in game consoles and some laptops PCs, though it's a denser solution.

Comes with their own cooling fans

There have only been a few RAM kits we can recall that came with cooling fans, or that were recommended to pair with an active cooling scheme. Of course, those were back in the early days of DDR memory, when buying a kit of overclocking RAM could you make late with your mortgage payment that month. In any event, much as changed since then, though apparently we haven't seen the last of RAM and fan combinations -- G.Skill's new Ripjaws 4 DDR4 3200MHz and 3400MHz memory kits both with active cooling add-ons.

The need for speed

Now that Haswell-E and accompanying Intel X99-based motherboards requiring DDR4 RAM are here, we expect to see a lot of record announcements. It always happens when new platforms are introduced, and G.Skill is wasting no time adding to its virtual shelf of overclocking tropies -- G.Skill today announced that it set a new memory record for fastest DDR4 memory frequency at 4,255MHz.

Look for thinner, longer lasting mobile gadgets

Samsung said it has begun mass producing its 6-gigabit (Gb) low-power double data rate 3 (LPDDR3) mobile DRAM based on its 20-nanometer process technology (not to be confused with 20nm-class, which could mean anywhere from 20nm to 29nm). Why should you care? The new mobile memory chip is more efficient, which in turn will enable longer battery life in mobile devices. It could also lead to slimmer, less expensive mobile products.

More DDR4 options

The selection of DDR4 modules is growing by the day. In fact, it almost feels like the old days -- you know, back when memory makers would launch new kits at a near non-stop pace. In continuing with the recent trend, Crucial today announced the availability of Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 memory and Crucial DDR4 desktop memory, both designed for Intel's X99 chipset.

Breaking the speed limit

How high will memory makers take DDR4 RAM kits? We're in the process of finding out. In the meantime, G.Skill is laying claim to the world's fastest DDR4 memory with its new Ripjaws 4 DDR4-3333 memory kit (F4-3333C16Q-16GRK). It's a 16GB kit consisting of four 4GB modules for quad-channel fun on your new Intel Haswell-E build with 16-16-16-36-2N timings and 1.35V.

New Savage line replaces mid-level Genesis family

Most of the memory announcements we're seeing lately have to do with new DDR4 RAM kits for Intel's X99 chipset and Haswell-E processors. However, if you're not ready to make the leap to DDR4, don't sweat it -- companies aren't turning their backs on DDR3 memory kits just yet. Hence we have Kingston announcing its new HyperX Savage DDR3 memory line with red aluminum heatspreaders.